dep of transportation northern wisconsin open roads

As I kept driving, I realized just how long it had been since I‘d truly taken in my surroundings. Wolf packs and elk sightings are not uncommon on Rustic Roads in northern Wisconsin. On other roads, I saw flocks of wild turkeys, small herds of deer, and several red foxes. No sooner had I started down R-12, in Walworth County, than I had to stop to let a Sandhill Crane cross the road. Then I saw another sign, and another, and decided to return. I briefly wondered what a Rustic Road was, but hurried on.

I had a ticket for a tour of a Frank Lloyd Wright building there, and was worried I’d be late. I didn’t know any of this when I saw the first Rustic Road sign on my way to Racine in southeast Wisconsin. Motorcyclists who travel more than 10 roads can even earn special awards from the Wisconsin DOT. You can’t get lost or stranded on a Rustic Road it must be a loop or connected to a major highway at both ends. The maximum speed limit is 45 mph-but during my drives, it never exceeded 35 mph. It can be dirt, gravel, or paved, and one or two lanes, but it must be at least two miles long. The road must have public access and not be scheduled for any major improvements that would change its present qualities. A local government, community, or individual can apply if proper qualifications are met: The road must have exceptional natural features, such as native vegetation and wildlife, a rugged terrain, scenic open vistas, or agricultural views. Not just any byway can be designated as a Rustic Road, Bonneville explains. The signs indicate that there’s something special to see, and each drive has a story to share. With 122 Rustic Roads scattered across 61 counties, covering more than 740 miles, they’re easy to find and explore. The roads are all marked with brown and yellow signs, each identified with the letter “R” and a number. R-1, which opened in 1975 near Rib Lake in northwest Wisconsin, kicked off the program with its five-mile gravel road passing through the 12,000-year-old Ice Age National Scenic Trail.Ī Sandhill Crane crossing the road. The Wisconsin State Legislature established the Rustic Road system in 1973. “It’s a unique state and local partnership with a preservation focus that continues to grow,” says Liat Bonneville, Rustic Roads coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT). Reminiscent of a Sunday drive-when families piled in the car, rolled down the windows, and took off to see the sights-Wisconsin has made a deliberate effort to sustain its less-traveled routes. The Rustic Roads belong to a program that honors the American tradition of a leisurely car trip-the purpose of which is simply to slow down and enjoy the scenery. When I finally did take that detour, I discovered Wisconsin’s Rustic Roads.

For years, as I headed north from Illinois and sped by the small towns and farms, I promised myself that next time I would add a day and get off the highway. My intent was always to get there as quickly as possible, at best an eight-hour drive with only short stops for fuel and food. A recorded message with general information on road restrictions is available by calling (608) 266-8417.I can’t tell you how many times I’ve hurried through Wisconsin on my way to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to visit my sister.

More information on overweight permits can be found on the WisDOT website by searching under “ oversize overweight permits.” Haulers with specific questions can contact WisDOT’s Oversize/Overweight Permits Unit at (608) 266-7320. Decisions to place or lift weight restrictions on those roads are up to local units of government. More information regarding frozen road declarations, Class II roadways, and roadway postings can be found on WisDOT’s website under “ Weight Restriction Programs.”Ĭounty highways, town roads, city and village streets may also be posted or limited to legal load limits or less. Declarations for other zones in Wisconsin were lifted earlier this month based on frost tube readings.Ĭlass II roads include about 1,400 miles of state highways susceptible to damage from heavy trucks during the spring thaw period as frost leaves the ground. Friday, March 18 and enacting Class II road restrictions. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is ending the frozen road declaration for northern Wisconsin Zone 1 as of 12:01 a.m.

Dep of transportation northern wisconsin open roads